Roadrunner Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Blog

“What’s the Best Way to Clean My Drains?”

When it comes to drain cleaning, most homeowners, or even renters, are tempted to run out to the store for some of that cheap chemical liquid drain cleaner whenever they have a clog. But this has multiple problems. You know that phrase, “you get what you pay for”? That’s definitely true in this case!

These store-bought solutions are no solution at all. First off, they eat through a clog all right, but consistent use of these products also eats through your pipes, eventually leading to corrosion and leaks that make repiping necessary. Additionally, and relative to our prior point, this drain cleaning method is temporary at best, leaving you going out to buy another bottle in just a few months as the clog that never left builds back up.

For a truly effective resolution to drain cleaning, you want to hire a company that excels in professional plumbing in Los Alamos, NM. You have that with us. Ask us about our hydro-jetting service, and then give us a call to schedule your next drain cleaning appointment!

What Is Hydro-Jetting?

The name hydro-jetting is somewhat self-explanatory—the process uses jets of water to clean pipes. If you put water under enough pressure and then blast it from a hose nozzle, the force of the water can scour away buildup and blockages inside the pipes.

The water pressure within this tool is very high (at least 7500 psi, with commercial hydro-jetters going even higher). This intense amount of power is enough to remove all kinds of debris that may be caught within your drainpipe walls. This can include grease and oil, hair, soap scum, and mineral buildup. This process can even be used to remove tree root growth in your sewer line.

Why This Is the Best Way to Clean Your Drains

The main benefit of professional hydro-jetting (no, we don’t recommend you try hydro-jetting on your own because of safety concerns) is how thorough the process is. Motorized drain augers are powerful and can break apart some clogs, but they aren’t usually effective enough to remove all the buildup on the drainpipe walls and can leave behind material that will just build back up and create another clog. The scouring action from the hydro-jetter removes everything and enables it to wash downstream in the plumbing system.

Hydro-jetting is also an ideal drain cleaning method due to its protection of the drainpipes. It doesn’t use any chemicals or harsh mechanical action. The drains are cleaned out, but not scratched or worn down in the process. However, water pressure that is too high can cut through the pipes, which is another reason we only recommend having this professionally done rather than attempting it as a DIY project or trusting the job to an inexperienced general handyman.

Our plumbers will ensure that your pipes are cleaned with no subsequent damage. We also have the tools necessary to inspect your pipes before and after (if needed) to determine that no spot was missed in removing a clog!